Iraq calls for halting Turkish incursions

Iraq on Wednesday asked the UN to intervene to halt the Turkish attacks on the northern part of the country as well as for an immediate withdrawal of the invading Turkish troops.

In a message he sent to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Iraqi Prime Minister Tariq Aziz asserted that his country strongly condemns the violation of the sovereignty of its territories by the Turkish armed forces and demands immediate withdrawal for the Iraqi troops from the Iraqi territories.

Aziz also asked the UN chief to exert all his efforts in calling upon the Turkish government to abide by the basics of the UN charter and international law in order to withdraw its forces from the Iraqi lands.

Aziz asserted that the Iraqi government preserves its right to demand to be compensated for the damages inflicted as a result of these illegal Turkish practices and once again calls upon the Turkish government to halt these practices, which are endangering Iraq.